The O'Jays are a Canton, Ohio based soul and R&B group, originally consisting of Eddie Levert (born June 16, 1942), Walter Williams (born August 25, 1942), William Powell (January 20, 1942 -- May 26, 1977), Bobby Massey and Bill Isles. The O'Jays were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2004, and The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2005. The O'Jays had their first hit with "Lonely Drifter", in 1963. In spite of the record's success, the group was considering quitting the music industry until Gamble & Huff, a team of producers and songwriters, took an interest in the group. With Gamble & Huff, the O'Jays (now a trio after the departure of Isles and Massey) emerged at the forefront of Philadelphia soul with "Back Stabbers" (1972), and topped the Billboard Hot 100 the following year with "Love Train".
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The O'Jays
The O'Jays (Walter Williams, Eric Grant and Eddie Levert) perform at the Arie Crown Theater in Chicago, April 2010.
Background information
Also known as The Triumphs, The Mascots
Origin Canton, Ohio, United States
Genres R&B, Philly soul, Quiet storm, Gospel, Disco
Years active 1963--present
Labels Minit, Philadelphia International, MCA
Associated acts Gerald LeVert, Teddy Pendergrass, Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes. LeVert
Members
Eddie Levert
Walter Williams
Eric Grant
Past members
Bill Isles
Bobby Massey
William Powell (deceased)
Sammy Strain
Nathaniel Best
The O'Jays are a Canton, Ohio based soul and R&B group, originally consisting of Eddie Levert (born June 16, 1942), Walter Williams (born August 25, 1942), William Powell (January 20, 1942 -- May 26, 1977), Bobby Massey and Bill Isles. The O'Jays were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2004, and The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2005. The O'Jays had their first hit with "Lonely Drifter", in 1963. In spite of the record's success, the group was considering quitting the music industry until Gamble & Huff, a team of producers and songwriters, took an interest in the group. With Gamble & Huff, the O'Jays (now a trio after the departure of Isles and Massey) emerged at the forefront of Philadelphia soul with "Back Stabbers" (1972), and topped the Billboard Hot 100 the following year with "Love Train".
Contents [hide]
1 Career
2 Discography
2.1 Top Twenty singles
2.2 Top Twenty albums
2.3 DVDs
3 Million sellers
4 See also
5 References
6 External links
[edit] CareerThey formed the group in Canton, Ohio in 1958 while attending Canton McKinley High School. Originally known as The Triumphs, and then The Mascots, the friends began recording with "Miracles" in 1961, which was a moderate hit in the Cleveland area. In 1963, they took the name "The O'Jays", in tribute to Cleveland radio disc jockey Eddie O'Jay who was part of the powerful management team of Frankie Crocker, Herb Hamlett & Eddie O'Jay, (Toop, 1991), and released "Lonely Drifter," which charted nationally. Their debut album was Comin' Through. Throughout the 1960s, they continued to chart with songs such as "Lipstick Traces" (which they performed nationally on the ABC Television program, Shivaree), "Stand In For Love," "Stand Tall," "Let It All Out," "I'll Be Sweeter Tomorrow," "Look Over Your Shoulder," "Deeper In Love With You," and "One Night Affair," along with several other regional and national pop and R&B hits. In 1972, they finally scored with their first million-seller, "Back Stabbers",[1] from the album of the same name. By this time, original members Bill Isles and Bobby Massey had also departed, leaving the group a trio. This album produced several more hit singles, including "992 Arguments," "Sunshine," "Time To Get Down," and the #1 pop smash, "Love Train".
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the O'Jays - I love music (1975)by thefunkysoulstory0134,476 views
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